Every summer at 46 locations throughout Japan, children with diabetes gather together in camps to climb mountains, swim, play sports, enjoy outdoor barbeques, attend campfire chats, and learn more about self-regulation of their diabetic condition.

The combination of these activities support children in their knowledge of diabetes, how to give themselves proper injections of insulin, what foods are best for them, and how to manage a good balance of sports and diabetic therapy.

Directors of the program say the most important priority of the summer camp is for the kids to learn to develop self control and apply this knowledge to others who are experiencing diabetes. The camp also increases the opportunity for each child to create a personal network of understanding friends and acquaintances.

The summer camp idea originated in 1963 with Dr Hiroshi Maruyama of Chiba Prefecture. After Dr Maruyama started the first camps, the Japan Diabetes Association continued the work, expanding it throughout Japan to 46 different locations. There are medical personnel and experienced staff in every camp who support the kids during their summer experience. The Nippon Foundation has contributed to the camps since 2006.

Depending on the camp, there are also facilities for the diabetic child's whole family to stay. The children range from kindergarden age to high school students.

The whole ethos of the camps is to help the child to control his diabetes through his own efforts. The summer program includes talks on insulin injections, how food affects insulin levels, how sports can be safely enjoyed, and measuring diabetic functions in order to help the kids continue to care for themselves in the future.

In addition to giving the kids the chance to socialize with others who share their similar condition as they play and study together, it gives families an opportunity to understand their diabetic child's needs and emotional condition. Finally, the families have a chance to take a rest during the summer camp, relaxed in the knowledge that their child will return at the end of the summer with added growth and development.